Carrie Gross, Chief Creative Officer and Co-founder of Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare, is a leading voice in the world of dermatology and accessible, medical-grade skincare products.
With a focus on science-backed solutions and a deep understanding of skin health, the Dr. Gross brand has revolutionised the skincare industry, pushing the boundaries of accessible medical-grade skincare products with innovative products like the iconic Alpha Beta® Peel. Chalking up 25 years of success so far, the world-famous skincare brand is celebrated for its innovative and science-backed approach to skincare, combining cutting-edge technology with clinically proven ingredients into its unique formulations.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare continues to push the boundaries of skincare innovation with a focus on harnessing the power of technology and incorporating advanced ingredients into its formulations. The brand offers a comprehensive range of products, including cleansers, serums, moisturisers, sunscreens, and devices, all designed to address a variety of skin concerns and promote healthy, radiant skin.
In this exclusive interview, we spoke to Carrie about emerging skincare trends, her recommended long-haul travel skincare routine, and the importance of sun protection in the Middle East.
Have you noticed any emerging skincare trends that are worth paying heed to?
I think more than ever consumers (and influencers) are looking to dermatologists for their skincare education. The skin is the largest organ in the body and thus should be treated with a scientific approach. To see true results with skincare, a product needs a proven delivery system that delivers active ingredients deep into the skin to enact change. Over the last 2 decades, we have seen countless trends come and go, but the desire for true education and products that really work remains the same.
At home LED masks are becoming quite the trendy skincare tech must-have, can you tell us more about the benefits of using LED masks?
LED masks are an amazing tool to help with signs of aging and acne. Red LED works to stimulate collagen production, reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles all while reducing inflammation. Blue light targets and kills acne-causing bacteria, treating and preventing breakouts.
What are the emerging trends and technologies in the skincare industry, and how do you think they will shape the future of skincare?
I don’t follow the trends, but I do follow the science!
We know that active ingredients that build natural collagen production in the skin is the key to strong, healthy-looking skin. Every day I boost my skin with scientifically proven ingredients – such as retinol, vitamin C and red and blue LED light therapy – to stimulate my skin’s own natural collagen production and deliver essential vitamins and minerals for overall skin health.
Trendy or not, I apply this philosophy to my whole body, not just my face. I make sure I am taking really good care of the skin on my body, including the neck, hands, arms, and legs.
Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel pads are a regular part of my skincare regime, can you tell our readers how they are beneficial and why we should use them?
The Alpha Beta Daily Peel is a daily 2-step treatment that dramatically smooths skin texture, tightens pores and strengthens the skin barrier, without ever causing downtime. The 1st step contains a potent cocktail of AHAs and BHAs to gently exfoliate the top layers of skin and decongest pores. The 2nd step turns off the acids and delivers soothing, repairing and anti-aging ingredients to the skin. This treatment is the safest, most effective way to exfoliate the skin because of the 2nd step.
In fact, this is how dermatologists, like Dennis, have been performing peels in their office for decades. But the Alpha Beta Daily Peel is much more than an exfoliator. The 2nd step is a powerful treatment that is clinically proven to boost collagen production and strengthen the moisture barrier. The results are clearer, brighter and more radiant-looking skin. The Alpha Beta Daily Peel comes in 3 strengths – Ultra Gentle, Universal and Extra Strength – so all skin types can benefit from daily micro-peeling.
What your must-have skincare products when you're travelling?
I do not hold back on having my full AM and PM regimens in my checked bag. The last thing you want to think about when traveling is your products not doing what they are supposed to. I like knowing I can have confidence in my skincare routine my tried and true products with me. I travel with two cleansers, our newest Vitamin C Lactic Creamy Cleansing Oil which is great for removing makeup, and our Alpha Beta Daily Cleansing Gel.
My Alpha Beta Daily Peels in all strengths, two eye treatments (Vitamin C Lactic Firm and Bright Eye Serum, Alpha Beta Daily Peels in all strengths, two eye treatments (Vitamin C Lactic Firm and Bright Eye Serum, Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Triple Correction Eye Serum), three serums, two masks, and at least one sunscreen (All-Physical Lightweight Wrinkle Defense Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 30 PA+++).
Do you have a skincare routine or recommendations for looking after your skin on long-haul flights?
This is my tried and tested long-haul travel skincare routine:
1. My preparation for a long-haul flight starts before I leave home. Before I leave the house, I drink two litres of water and a green juice and apply our Hyaluronic Marine Hydrating Molding Mask. It locks in moisture for long lasting hydration. I do not wear makeup in flight.
2. On the plane, I travel with a stash of supplements and skincare to keep me busy. Flights are very drying so it is super important to protect skin from dehydration and trans-epidermal water loss, particularly around your lips and eyes. While in flight, I apply the DermInfusions Blur and Repair Cream and the DermInfusions Plump and Repair Lip Treatment.
3. If it is an overnight flight, I apply the Ferulic + Retinol Wrinkle Recovery Overnight Serum to my face, neck and décolletage.
4. I always have Moon Juice Dream Dust and Spirit Dust which come in travel friendly packets that look like tea bags as well as omegas-3s and vitamin C supplements.
5. To prevent dry eyes, I use Refresh Optiv Lubricating Eye Drops which come in little vials (also very travel friendly).
6. I like to use nasal spray to help clean out nasal passages and prevent picking up any travel bugs.
7. When I land, I love to go to the hotel and take a really hot bath and hydrate. Afterwards, I’ll go on a walk or take a yoga class. I think it is really healthy to stimulate circulation after landing. I avoid going right to sleep.
I never go a day without our All-Physical Lightweight Wrinkle Defense Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 30 PA++++. It is very important to wear sunscreen every day (rain or shine) because unprotected sun exposure accumulates over time, eventually showing up on the skin surface as wrinkles, lines, dark spots, chronic dryness and dullness. This oil-free, fragrance-free sunscreen is lightweight and absorbs beautifully into the skin, perfect for everyday use. Dennis also added antioxidants and hydrating ingredients to repair sun damaged skin while preventing new sun damage from happening in the first place. Whether I always have this sunscreen close by.
Another key ingredient I recommend is Vitamin C. Everyone can benefit from having vitamin C in their skincare regimen, but many formulas cause sensitivity. Dennis created the Vitamin C Lactic line to get a meaningful dose of vitamin C, without any risk of irritation. In fact, the Vitamin C Lactic collection of products actually strengthens the moisture barrier while fighting against signs of sun aging.
This is truly groundbreaking because daily UVA/UVB exposure from the sun (also known as free radicals) without protection can cause premature wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, dullness and chronic dryness. Dennis included lactic acid with vitamin C in this range of products to not only combat the damage from sun exposure but build back a healthy moisture barrier for stronger, brighter and firmer skin. Lactic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid that gently renews the skin surface and replenishes the moisture barrier with GAGs and ceramides.
However, recent medical literature has shown lactic acid can also act like an antioxidant, offering additional protection against free radicals when combined with vitamin C. Even more, Dennis found that when vitamin C and lactic acid are in the same clinically proven formula, together they improve the overall performance and penetration of vitamin C. Together, they are a dynamic duo that combats sun damage while supporting the moisture barrier.
Dr Dennis Gross products are available to purchase online and instore at Sephora
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